In this chapter, we're visiting Idea Builders, Inc.And I'm standing in front of a CNC Mill and we're getting ready to set up a job.I've got the job set up here.I've got three operations andwe're going to be set up, setting up and loading a tool.Touching that tool off, finding a work offset and getting ready to run the part.After you've run through the part here,we're going to jump over to the lathe and do exactly the same thing.We're going to set up the job and run through our lathe part.Now, there's a lot of different types of parts that we can build ona CNC machine and I have a couple examples for you.One of them is this part here which we have setup behind me andthis little arm is the part where you're machining.This is a machine out of aluminum and it has an anodized finish andhere is the part itself and you can see it's just a little arm,it does have a little piece of hardware in it, so this is the finished part.

Now I said, it has a black anodized finish.Sorry, it's a red anodized finish.And this piece is machined out of this block of aluminum.So, from here it's a subtractive manufacturing process andit ends up with this.So unlike a 3D printer who is adding material, I'm removing all ofthe material out of this block to end up with this finished piece here.So now I can work with a lot of different types of material.So this is a block of aluminum.I can also work with stainless steel,steel all the different types of aluminums, plastics, foams.

Really, pretty much any material out there can be machined on a CNC machine.I do need to adjust the type of tools I'm choosing forthe specific material I'm working with.Now, the cost of this machine here, I'm looking at about a $65,000 machine behindme and I've got several thousand dollars worth of tools set up next to me.Now this is a, you know, prototype sort of production machine, soI can run a full production job here.Now if you're purely just looking forward to getting started with CNC machine forprototyping, you can get a machine fora few thousand dollars you can set up in your garage.

Now your still going to need to learn how to do sheet code programming and settingup the machine, but it's definitely doable for a very reasonable cost.On these machines, there's a lot of tools, a lot of safety factors.That's something we definitely need to keep track of butunderstanding the basic concept is really what we want to cover in this course.So understanding how to set up a tool, how many tools your going to use for your job.What the steps are involved as far as each operation is really important,especially if your going to be sending this out to maybe a service bureau.Because if your not going to buy your own machine,your not going to learn how to do it.Understanding what the other company is going to be doing is definitely going tohave a dramatic effect on how your going to prototype your part.If you design it well for prototyping and in the long run,you're going to save a lot of costs and you're going to be really set up to dosome nice parts in the 3D process on the CNC machine here.

So, let's get started and let's build some parts in the CNC machine.

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9/16/2014

Rapid prototyping takes your designs out of the computer and into the real world, but choosing the right process is critical to success. Join product designer Gabriel Corbett for a tour of the most popular rapid-prototyping methods, straight from the workshop floor. This course includes first-hand looks at the machinery and techniques behind 3D printing, machining, resin casting, injection molding, 2D prototyping, and laser scanning. After you watch this course, you'll have a solid understanding of the available prototyping processes, and knowledge of the machinery and tools to bring your product through the prototyping stage and into the real world.